Annual Community Oncology Conference Debuts New Patient Advocacy Track

Covers U.S. Cancer Care Post-Healthcare Reform

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Feb 23, 2011, 12:41 ET

WASHINGTON and LAS VEGAS, Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) will attend and present at the sixth annual Community Oncology Conference, February 25-26, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev. The conference attracts health care professionals from community oncology settings all across the U.S., ranging from private practice-based oncologists and oncology nurses to practice administrators.

This year's meeting marks the first time patient advocates will attend. The recently launched Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) will host the first-ever Patient Advocacy Track, which will educate and train cancer survivors to reach out and share their stories with the public. The Patient Advocacy Track will also update attendees on the impact of health care reform on community cancer care with issues specific to the cancer patient community.

David Eagle, M.D., president of COA and partner in Lake Norman Oncology, Mooresville, North Carolina, will deliver the keynote address to physicians and administrators and a welcome address to patient advocates. COA's executive director, Ted Okon, will deliver a panel presentation on the changing face of oncology after healthcare reform.

"This conference is oncology's most inclusive venue in which physicians, administrators, nurses and other care team members come together with patients to address the many issues challenging oncology," said Dr. Eagle. "It's a unique model, and this year's introduction of the Patient Advocacy Track is an important milestone. We must all be concerned with the future of cancer care because cancer touches everyone."

"Cancer patients and survivors attending the Patient Advocacy Track are representative of our country's diverse cancer patient community, hailing from all walks of life," said Rose Gerber, director of patient advocacy, CPAN. "The dynamic mix of new and experienced cancer advocates, including those who have recently completed treatment as well as long-term survivors, is a tremendous asset to all conference attendees."

About Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN)

Community Oncology Alliance Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) was formed to provide an inclusive forum, regardless of cancer type, for cancer patients, caregivers and survivors to network and become more active participants in understanding and advocating for cancer care. An established agenda of an annual meeting, an annual Lobby Day in Washington, DC and ongoing legislative outreach program allows CPAN to advocate for patients and family members affected by cancer. CPAN also provides community oncology practices with information and resources to help their patients deal with the economic pressures impacting their cancer care.

About Community Oncology Alliance (COA)

COA is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to community oncology. COA was founded by community oncology to advocate for patients and providers in the community oncology setting, where 84 percent of Americans with cancer are treated. In only six years of existence, COA has mobilized community oncology to become more politically active, and increased awareness on Capitol Hill about the community cancer care delivery system. Additionally, COA has brought together community oncology practices from across the country to share information in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the cancer care they provide to their patients.

Currently, COA is working with the Congress in providing proactive solutions designed to protect the viability of the nation's cancer care delivery system and patients' access to quality, affordable cancer care. The cancer death rate in the U.S. has declined due to earlier detection, the quality of treatment, and the accessibility of cancer care. However, according to the American Cancer Society, men still have an approximately one in two lifetime risk of developing cancer, with a risk of one in three for women. For more information, please visit www.communityoncology.org.

SOURCE Community Oncology Alliance